Automated systems and methods for post-tension tendon manufacture and coiling

Abstract

Automated systems and processes for manufacturing post-tension tendons may comprise a catapuller configured to introduce a pre-determined length of a tendon into a tub; a cutter configured to cut the tendon when it meets the pre-determined length; and (c) a control unit configured for a user to input the pre-determined length and a pre-determined bundle diameter. The control until is typically operably connected to the cutter and to the tub. Advantageously, the tub is configured to coil the tendon to form a tendon bundle and tie the tendon bundle in the predefined bundle diameter. A movable seater station may be employed to fasten an anchor to one end of the strand and the seater station may be configured to move among two or more tubs. A manipulator may be employed to move and hang coiled tendons

We claim: 
     
         1 . An automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons, comprising:
 (a) a catapuller configured to introduce a first pre-determined length of a first tendon into a first tub;   (b) a shear configured to cut the first tendon when the first tendon meets the first pre-determined length;   (c) a second tub operatively connected to the catapuller wherein the catapuller is configured to introduce a second pre-determined length of a second tendon into the second tub after the first tendon is cut and wherein the shear is configured to cut the second tendon when the second tendon meets the second pre-determined length; and   wherein the first tub is configured to rotate to coil the first tendon to form a coiled first tendon bundle in the predefined bundle diameter and wherein the second tub is configured to coil the second tendon to form a coiled second tendon bundle in the predefined bundle diameter and wherein the coiled first tendon bundle, the coiled second tendon bundle, or both is tied by an auto-tying machine.   
     
     
         2 . The automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pre-determined lengths are the same. 
     
     
         3 . The automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pre-determined lengths are different. 
     
     
         4 . The automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons of  claim 1  which further comprises a movable seater station configured to fasten an anchor to at least one end of the first tendon, the second tendon or both. 
     
     
         5 . The automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons of  claim 4  wherein the movable seater station is operably connected to the control unit. 
     
     
         6 . The automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons of  claim 5  wherein said seater station is configured to move between the first tub and the second tub upon receipt of a command from the control unit. 
     
     
         7 . The automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons of  claim 1  which further comprises a manipulator configured to move and hang the tied first and second coiled tendon bundles. 
     
     
         8 . The automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons of  claim 7  wherein said manipulator is configured to move between the first tub and the second tub. 
     
     
         9 . The automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons of  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit operably connected to the conveyer, the shear, and to the first and second tubs. 
     
     
         10 . An automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons, comprising:
 (a) a catapuller configured to introduce a pre-determined length of a tendon into a tub;   (b) a shear configured to cut the tendon when the tendon meets the pre-determined length; and   wherein the tub is configured to rotate to coil the tendon to form a tendon bundle and wherein the tendon bundle in the predefined bundle diameter is tied by an auto-tying machine.   
     
     
         11 . An automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons, comprising:
 (a) a conveyor configured to introduce a pre-determined length of a tendon into a tub;   (b) a cutter configured to cut the tendon when it meets the pre-determined length;   (c) a control unit; and   (d) a movable seater station operably connected to the control unit wherein the movable seater station is configured to fasten an anchor to one end of a cut tendon wherein said movable seater station may be configured to move among two or more tubs upon receiving a command from the control unit.   
     
     
         12 . An automated system for manufacturing post-tension tendons, comprising:
 (a) a conveyor configured to introduce a pre-determined length of a tendon into a tub;   (b) a cutter configured to cut the tendon when it meets the pre-determined length;   (c) a control unit; and   (d) a manipulator operably connected to the control unit wherein the manipulator is configured to move and hang coiled tendons upon receiving a command from the control unit.